Improvement in can-openers



T. WILSON. Can-Opener.

No. 213,728. Paten-ted Mar. 25, 1879.

INVENTOR W'ITNESSES m r I' A TTORJVE 1/3,

N. FEI'ERS, P

UNITED STATES PAT-ENE' OFFICE.

THEODORE F. WILSON, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF OOLUMBIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN CAN-OPENERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 213,723, dated March 25, 1879; application filed February 28, 1879.

To all 'whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THEoDoRE F. WILSON, of t-he city of 'Washingtom in the county of Washington, District of Columbia, have invcnted certain new and useful Improvements in Can-Openers; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use'the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters of reference marked thereon, which form apart of this specification.

My invention relates to a device for opening hermetically-sealed cans of fruit, Vegetables, meats, and the like 5 and the novelty consists in the construction and arrangement of parts, as will be more fully hereinafter set forth, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is a pcrspective view; Fig. 2, a section, and Fig. 3 details.

In carrying out my invention I employ a frame of cast metal, having a proper, convenient, or ornamental handle. In the frame I secure in proper bearings a knife or puncturing device.

The frame is adapted to receive the top of the sealed can in either of two circularl faces, and, being rotated by force applied to the handle, a proper knife cuts out the top in circular form near the edge, thus leavin g a can which may be used again for otherv purpose, having a neat appearance, and free from ragged edgcs.

The frame is provided with guides or flanges upon each side, which are adapted to receive the top of the can, those upon one side describing the are of a circle larger than the other' to receive a three-pound can, while the other receivcs a two-ponnd can, each making a neat and cfficient fit.

A lug cast in or formed upon the inner surface of the device, at a point near the junction of the handle, forms a threaded bearing for a double-pointed knife with a threaded shank, which, when in place, operates when either of the surfaces is used.

To employ the device for smaller cans, I provide bearing-lugs, and when two or more of these bear upon the top of the can, and the device is forced to one side and rotated, it operates efficiently, although the can does not fill the arc described by the implement.

Referring to the drawings, A represents the frame, c'ast in one piece with the handle A', which is provided with a knife, B, as shown.

The frame A has two operating-surfaces, of different sizes, formed on one side by the fianges O, and upon the other by the flanges G', as shown.

D represents a lug, having threaded bearing d, to receive the threaded sha'nl; e of a double-pointed knife, E. F represents bearing-lugs, which serve both as bearings upon the top of the can when said top fills, or nearly fills, the circle described by the fiange O, and one or more of which serve as guides for smaller cans. x represents the can.

The operation of my invention is as follows: In opening a three-pound can, the top of the can being received within the flange O' and the implement rotated, the projecting point of the knife cuts a circular hole from the top. For a two-pound can, reverse the implement and receive the top of the can within the arc described by the fiange O and rotate it, when the opposite point of the knife E serves a similar purpose.

For a still smaller can the same face is employed, the implement being forced laterally, two or more of the lugs Fbearing upon the can.

What I clann as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-- 1. In a can-Opener, the frame A, having the concentric circles O and O', in combination with the double-pointed knife E, substantially as shown and described.

2. The frame A, having handle A', flanges O O', as shown, and threaded bearing D d, in combination with the knife E, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. The frame A A' O C', having bearing D d, and lugs F, combined with the knives E and B, substantially as set forth.

4 The double pointed knife E, having threaded shank e, adapted for use in connection with a retaining-disk as a can-Opener, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoin g as my own I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

THEO. F. WILSON.

Witnesses:

R. B. LLoYD, JOHN A. ROLLINGS. 

